How to Compare Different Brands of Hair Cutting Shears

Thinning shears are specialized hair cutting scissors.

Choose between dozens of brands of haircutting shears by comparing specific features and considering your needs and your budget. Hold and manipulate the shears to get an idea of their comfort and control before making your final selection.

Size and Comfort Features

Determine the length of the cutting blade you want and whether you prefer the finger holes to be offset or symmetric. Five- or five and a half-inch blades are considered the most versatile. Other comfort features available include adjustable tension screws at the hinge or pivot point of the shears, detachable finger rests and removable ring guards.

Shape of Blades

The blades' cutting surface shape is important to your choice. Japanese shears feature a razor-sharp convex edge made to slide through the hair, great for wispy styles. Shears from Germany feature a beveled edge with tiny serrations designed to hold the hair in place as you cut it. Beveled edge scissors stay sharp longer than convex edge shears.

Material and Quality

Consider the type of steel used and its hardness. Haircutting shears should have a Rockwell hardness scale rating of at least 56, according to Precision Sharpening. Stainless steel must be ice-tempered to hold its edge; drop-forged shears last longer and stay sharper than blanked or cast shears.

References

• Pro Haircut: Haircutting Shears and Scissors
• Precision Sharpening: About Scissors
• NY Times: Finding (or Honing) the Cutting Edge